Writer/Director: Joachim Trier
Starring: Stellan Skarsgard, Renate Reinsve and Elle Fanning
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Fathers are strong caregivers that ensure children’s futures. Everyone has memories of fathers that have shaped their families. From a personal point-of-view, I have witnessed the challenges fathers go through. At an early age, I witnessed my grandfather struggle to raise families facing damage. Unlike ordinary people, he had love for Cinema my family regarded special. Fond of filmmaking, he loved watching movies to cope with challenges of parenting. Despite his passion for Cinema, however, my grandpa faced trauma. Having jobs that required him to travel coast-to-coast, he wasn’t available for daughters when they needed him most. Being a sentimental parent, he would go from being caring to the worst person in the world in an instant. His decision to favour his son caused his three daughters to become in translation. When he distributed jewelry to his son’s wife, he ruined my mother’s life. My mother never forgave him for the grave way in which he would behave. Holding grudges against her father for years, the incident left my mother in tears. In a prejudiced family without pride, my mom found comfort in sisters in whom she could confide. It took ages for me to reconcile with a grandpa that became hostile. Following the jewelry incident, our relationship became distant. Amidst arguments with daughters causing anguish, his love for Cinema began to vanish. As he fought one battle after another, I lost touch with my grandfather. Today, it’s safe to say our bond has come a long way. While they still argue on occasion, my mother admires a father that she regards with affection. In fairness, my grandfather did his best to ensure my family’s pursuit of happiness. I’ve accepted him for who he is, warts and all, rather than dwelling on the perfect parent I want him to be. Leaving my past behind, I try to find the humanity in a grandfather that has a beautiful mind. Even when he wasn’t the world’s best parent, I treasure a relative inspiring my love of entertainment.
As someone treasuring a sentimental grandfather with value, I loved “Sentimental Value”. Released in 2025, Joachim Trier’s Norwegian movie celebrated fathers. Boasting stunning visuals, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a masterpiece. At the centre of it is Stellan Skarsgard, portraying a conflicted father. Ultimately, what makes “Sentimental Value” a masterpiece is appeal. Unlike most Norwegian movies, it tackles universal themes. A mesmerizing masterpiece, there are several reasons why “Sentimental Value” is worth watching.
Set in Norway, “Sentimental Value” captures the hardships sentimental fathers go through. Stellan Skarsgard portrays Gustav Borg, a Norwegian director that isn’t the world’s greatest father. Gustav shares tumultuous relationships with estranged daughters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Lilleaas), who both hate him. However, Gustav’s life changes given he’s given chances casting daughters in his new movie. Seeking to reconcile relationships with his daughters, Gustav discovers challenges that are experienced by fathers.
Joachim Trier is fascinated with the themes of fatherhood. His award-winning film “The Worst Person in the World” offered a powerful portrait of women whose fathers are the worst people in the world. With “Sentimental Value”, however, Trier created his first family drama. It’s the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture relationships of estranged fathers facing adversity but he succeeds. Evoking Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Trier uses close-ups to capture bonds between a broken family of ordinary people. For instance, close-ups elevate the film argument scene. During this unforgettable scene, Gustav has tense arguments with his daughter after she refuses to star in his movie. It reminded me of my mother’s tense arguments with her father leaving her devastated. Close-ups are tricky techniques. As Sofia Coppola’s “Lost in Translation” suggested, close-ups elevate romantic films. Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” proved that close-ups elevate biopics. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Trier captures tensions families are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Sentimental Value” is the production. Evoking Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice”, Trier uses the set-design of a house to capture the strong bonds between sisters in a dysfunctional family. Throughout the movie, the Borg family home is an important setting showcasing bonds between sisters in a broken family. For instance, the family house setting elevates the script reading scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Nora and Agnes have a heartfelt conversation discussing their traumatic childhoods in their family home. It reminded me of my mother’s strong relationship with her sister that allowed her to cope with her demanding father. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Hania Rani’s music contributes to success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burden that fathers bear. Through breathtaking production, Trier demonstrates fathers experiencing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Sentimental Value” is a film about fatherhood that’s engaging. In Hollywood, most movies often portray estranged fathers as helpless victims that rarely achieve reconciliation with children. For instance, Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” depicted fathers are troubled figures unable to reconcile with children facing resentments. Thankfully, though, “Sentimental Value” avoids pitfalls. Evoking Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar”, Trier effectively uses silence to capture reconciliation between fathers and daughters. For instance, silence elevates the final film production scene. During this heartfelt scene, Gustav reconciles with his daughter through process of filmmaking. It brought back fond memories of my reconciliation with my grandpa over our shared love for movies. Through silence, Anderson creates a portrait of a broken family that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique. As Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” proved, silence elevates political films. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Trier captures fathers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Stellan Skarsgard delivers one of his best career performances as Gustav. Skarsgard earned appreciation playing teachers in coming-of-age dramas. With “Sentimental Value”, however, he takes on his most complex role. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Evoking Philip Baker Hall in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia”, Skarsgard embodies a father experiencing trauma. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, desperation and grief of a father facing family tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest Swedish actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Skarsgard, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of recognition. Renate Reinsve is spectacular, capturing fervour of a daughter that struggles to mend broken relationships with her estranged father. Inga Lilleaas is incredible, bringing charisma to a woman facing family trauma. Lastly, Elle Fanning is worth mentioning. As a prestigious Hollywood actress, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Sentimental Value” will earn everyone’s recognition for capturing fathers seeking pursuit of happiness with value. Emulating Gabriele Muccino’s “The Pursuit of Happiness”, it honours fathers that ensure their children’s happiness. Unlike most Norwegian movies targeted to a small audience, it tackles universal themes. The film discusses themes including ambition, parenting and trauma resonating with everyone. Watching Gustav struggle to reconcile with sentimental daughters brought back memories of a grandpa I consider special. Therefore, “Sentimental Value” is one of those rare Norwegian movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Stellan Skarsgard will definitely appreciate “Sentimental Value” and so would movie-goers seeking sentimental entertainment. A fantastic Norwegian family drama, it proves that Cinema is a powerful art form that can confront generational trauma.
A spectacular portrait of struggles that sentimental fathers seeking to reconnect with estranged children go through, it’s a soul-stirring reminder that sad stories of troubled fathers are worth telling in meaningful movies that audiences value.
As strong as Gustav’s desires to reconnect with his daughter, it has incited me to move on years after losing touch with a sentimental caregiver that didn’t always treat his daughters in a compassionate manner by treasuring positive memories of a relative that inspired my love for filmmaking I will forever treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 